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164 Arun and Barun. His wife, too, taught Kirunmala all the domestic duties of a woman. Time passed smoothly with them for several years, till one day the Brahmin, finding himself growing decrepit and infirm, called his adopted sons and daughter to him and said, "My beloved children, I am on my way to another kingdom, the kingdom of Yama. Live virtuously and peacefully, and prosperity will be your reward." The Brahmin then passed through the portals of death, deeply mourned by Arun, Barun and Kirunmala.

Let us now take a view of what was happening in the palace of their real father. After the queen had been banished he was visited by many calamities. So great were his troubles that he began to feel that he himself and his kingdom were under a curse. Life itself became wearisome, and to divert himself he led one day a hunting expedition into the forest. The day passed in the excitement of the chase; but at night, the sky was covered with black rumbling clouds, and a great storm soon raged furiously, the windows of the heavens were opened, and the rain came down in torrents. The king was separated from his men and took shelter in the hollow of a tree. When the terrible night came to an end at last, the sky cleared, and the king, worn out with hunger and thirst, sought for some human habitation. After a time he succeeded in the search, and coming to the house occupied by Arun, Barun and Kirunmala he called in plaintive tones for water. They responded at once to his call, and attended to his wants. When sufficiently refreshed, he commenced conversation with them, in the course of which they learnt that he was the king of their country; and after a little while he left them, pouring blessings on their heads.

The mention of the word "king" roused a series of thoughts in Kirunmala's mind. She asked her brothers what the insignia of a king were, and learning that a grand palace was one of these, she urged them to build one. They loved their sister too dearly not to comply with her wishes, and com-